Face-to-Face Interview with PermaDAO Partner - MAPDAO

Web3 is booming, and Arweave is becoming a popular infrastructure choice for developers. PermaDAO is a community where everyone can contribute to the Arweave ecosystem. It's a place to propose and tackle tasks related to Arweave, with the support and feedback of the entire community. Join PermaDAO and help shape Web3!

Author： Xiaosong HU @ Contributor of PermaDAO

Translator： Bananaa @ Contributor of PermaDAO

Reviewer：Coucou @ MAPDAO

Unknowingly, our interview series has reached its third edition. It is also the first time we have interviewed a female Web3 professional. Because the first impression of Web3 for most people is usually associated with geeks, typically programmers in collar shirts and jeans. How women occupy a place in the Web3 market and how they survive may be of curiosity to many. The Web3 industry has no shortage of outstanding women like the guest we are interviewing today. But do women face workplace pressure and labels in this industry? Especially during a bear market, we aim to gain insights from female professionals and share their first-hand experiences. Perhaps it can provide some reference for those who want to go all-in on Web3 during this bear market.

Of course, from another perspective, many people (even Web3 professionals) are quite unfamiliar with the term "Map," and even if they've heard of Map, they only know they are working on cross-chain matters. So what exactly is "Map," what is the relationship between MAPDAO and Map Protocol, and how will the community develop in the future? Today, we take the opportunity of this interview to explore together.

Our guest for this interview is ECO Co-contributor of Map Protocol: Ms. Coucou.

Part One: About MAPDAO

1. Question: Hey, Coucou! It's great to be part of this face-to-face interview. Could you please introduce the background of MAPDAO's establishment?

Answer: As most of you know, MAPDAO is a DAO organization that not only promotes the development of Web3 but also plays a role in the Map ecosystem community. Map Protocol is an Omnichain infrastructure, and initially, we mainly focused on development. However, with the continuous development of the industry, we came to a consensus that the time is ripe to take another step forward. On the one hand, we want to share our own developed technologies, products, and insights with the community. On the other hand, we want to be validated by the community and accepted by all. Therefore, after discussions, we decided to explore decentralized development through the DAO to attract more builders to co-create with us. The grand vision of building a DAO is also aimed at contributing to the development of the Web3 industry through this community.

2. Question: What were the significant moments in the history of MAPDAO?

Answer: In fact, MAPDAO is a very young DAO. The important moments I can think of are the decision to establish the DAO and the moment of reaching a partnership with PermaDAO. Before establishing MAPDAO, we conducted a lot of research, hoping to find a suitable development path for ourselves in the mature experiences available. At the time, it appeared advantageous to build a DAO with the support of MAP Protocol. We had a mature ecosystem and, most importantly, token incentives, which could help avoid various issues like freeloading and unsustainability. However, we later encountered various dramatic events. One day, I coincidentally stumbled upon PermaDAO (I saw someone sharing news about PermaDAO in various groups). I was curious and, after understanding how PermaDAO operated, I was attracted by its management framework and economic model. In an instant, I felt this was the benchmark for the kind of community we wanted to become. It's very open and inclusive, co-building and co-governing. Fate is truly wonderful. Although today's interview is with PermaDAO, there is absolutely no intention of flattery. I firmly believe that we can achieve more by building together, especially in the Web3 field.

3. Question: What is MAPDAO's future vision and planning?

Answer: MAPDAO currently consists of four main councils: Operations Guild, Translation Guild, Research Guild, and Technology Guild.

The Operations Guild is responsible for the brand and operation of the entire DAO. As an essential department, I won't go into too much detail here, but I encourage everyone to pay attention to our updates.

The Translation Guild currently has mature Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in the entire DAO. We are aware that Web3 is a global affair, and language is vital. Therefore, the Translation Guild not only produces content but also provides opportunities for English learning and practice, with the aim of helping everyone gain confidence to participate in various global conferences in the future.

The Research Guild mainly focuses on content creation and collective learning. We accept research reports or articles related to Web3 and the Map ecosystem. We welcome contributions, and in the future, we will also organize some track-based collective learning events to help everyone learn industry-related knowledge and grow together.

The Technology Guild leans toward the development of the Map ecosystem. In the future, the Technology Guild will organize developer training camps and hackathons. Everyone can look forward to these events.

In addition to this, as a DAO, we are very open to co-creation. If you are interested in any aspect, feel free to contact us anytime to discuss and co-create. If you missed the past of our MAPDAO, you are welcome to join our future.

4. Question: Is there a clear timeline currently, and what resources are still needed to be integrated?

Answer: As for the timeline, we are exploring, but we have a general outline. Our previous focus was mainly on the overall design of the DAO and the recruitment of initial pioneers, which is already showing results. Next, our focus may shift to collective learning and co-creation. We expect that in November, our series of collective learning and co-creation activities will officially begin. We will gradually move towards a decentralized approach. At the latest, in April 2024, our DAO will open to all proposal types and offer incentives, providing a stage for innovative ideas and projects. For specific details, you can follow our official channels. In terms of resources, I believe the attraction of Web3 lies in limitless possibilities, and these possibilities are created by people. So, we welcome everyone to recommend builders to contribute together.

5. Question: How many full-time staff members are there currently in MAPDAO, and what is the process of involvement? How do people get incentives?

Answer: In MAPDAO, our contributors are not strictly full-time professionals. We operate based on PoW to provide incentives. If you want to participate in building our DAO, you can submit an application form. We tend to allocate positions based on individual skills and interests to maximize the potential of each member. Furthermore, we will soon begin recruiting some fixed positions within the DAO, and the recruitment information will be published on our official channels. All incentives within the DAO are settled in Map tokens. We have already established some mature incentive rules for various contributions, such as translation and submissions, and you can find relevant information on our Notion official website. For independent projects, we also support proposals, and the incentive approach is more flexible.

6. Question: What do you think is the biggest challenge that MAPDAO faces?

Answer: The biggest challenge for MAPDAO is likely how to maximize decentralization. This is also a problem faced by many DAOs. From the perspective of a DAO professional, achieving full decentralization is very challenging, but it is our vision to make it an ideal decentralized organization. Therefore, we are working towards this direction to minimize human intervention as much as possible. At this stage, some managers are still needed to manage the process, so balancing the degree of decentralization is a challenge for us.

Part Two: About Map

7. Question: Why is the name "Map" chosen? Is it related to "maps"?

Answer: Haha, it does mean "maps"! But we have different brand names in different language areas, and we adjust them based on different language expressions. In English, "Map" is quite fitting. Because if Map is going to be a comprehensive infrastructure, it wants to help various projects and chains in the blockchain ecosystem achieve interoperability and interconnection. So the name also conveys a vision of the project. We hope to build an ecosystem that can connect different blockchains, like a global map.

8. Question: Many people know Map mainly for its cross-chain capabilities. Could you provide a detailed introduction to the Map project?

Answer: Map Protocol is a project that the team has been working on for nearly four years. It is an Omnichain infrastructure for Web3 and 100% compliant with the Nakamoto consensus mechanism. Map Protocol is based on light clients technology and zero-knowledge proof technology, achieving Bitcoin-level peer-to-peer cross-chain and successfully solving the industry challenge of light clients not being able to perform cross-chain or validation between heterogeneous chains.

MAP Protocol's mainnet was launched at the end of August 2022 and has already covered all major Layer 1 chains. By the end of 2022, we have achieved comprehensive integration with mainstream EVM and non-EVM chains such as Ethereum, Polygon, BNB, and Near. Map Protocol is also committed to promoting data flow across all chains and NFTs, and we will also promote paradigm shifts in areas such as DID, decentralized derivatives, and GameFi. At the same time, the MAPDAO team is also preparing a series of opportunities for comprehensive ecosystem development that is open to developers and the community. We hope that builders interested in the complete Map Protocol ecosystem can contribute and develop with us.

9. Question: How does Map differ from other existing public chains like Cosmos, and what are Map's unique advantages?

Answer: There are currently many cross-chain solutions in the market, such as Cosmos, Polkadot, LayerZero, and Multichain. Here, I would primarily discuss the differences between Map Protocol and Cosmos and Polkadot because all three of us have reached a state of no third-party roles, and we all achieve peer-to-peer cross-chain with relatively short cross-chain times. The main difference is that Map Protocol is aimed at developers across all chains, while Cosmos and Polkadot are more oriented toward Layer1 developers. Map Protocol covers various types of blockchains, whereas Cosmos and Polkadot focus on cross-chain interoperability within their respective internal ecosystems. Below is a comparative chart for various cross-chain solutions, which you can use as a reference.

Part Three: About Coucou Herself

10. Question: Can you tell us about your educational background and career experiences?

Answer: As for my personal education journey, it has been quite an adventure. I initially didn't do well in the middle school entrance examination and ended up in a secondary school. I specialized in finance there. However, during that time, there was a policy called the "SanXiaoSheng" high school entrance examination, and I decided to strive for it and managed to secure a place in a regular high school. I studied management for my undergraduate degree. For my postgraduate studies, I went to the UK and pursued a degree in media and business. I'm about to graduate from my postgraduate program.

Regarding my career, I've been involved in areas like We-media, education, and rural revitalization. I have a varied background with experience in these domains. At the time, it seemed to align with national policies. I explored various areas and experimented with projects because I wasn't strongly inclined toward going abroad. Hence, I tried to engage with circles and communities related to my future career. At that time, Web3 and I had absolutely no interaction.

11. Question: Your educational journey is truly inspiring! How did you come to know about Web3, and how did you get involved with MAPDAO?

Answer: I entered the Web3 space at the end of 2021, which was quite an interesting time. As you understand! Personally, I like to explore new and exciting things, and it was by pure chance that I got into this field through the operations of an NFT project. Before that, I had been on the fringes of the community, as I was still a student. Later on, I got involved with the BuilderDAO and started exploring DAOs with everyone. Over time, I was influenced by a group of active community members. With their guidance, I began to enhance my understanding of the industry. I had some resistance to going all-in on Web3, primarily due to personal reasons.

Then, things took a surprising turn. I got selected for a scholarship program by Waterdrip Capital, which connects high-achieving students with Map Protocol's co-founder, James. James mentioned that MAP Protocol was hiring during one of our classes, and it piqued my interest because I was genuinely curious about the entire blockchain. I submitted my resume with the attitude of giving it a try. From submitting my resume to joining the team, took quite some time and involved multiple rounds of interviews. There were some ups and downs along the way. I was about to graduate, and I had also applied for jobs in traditional industries as I wasn't sure if I would all in Web3. However, the situation changed again, and I found myself back in the Web3 space. I once jokingly said that every time I contemplated leaving Web3, circumstances seemed to pull me back. Perhaps I'm one of the chosen few. Because Map Protocol was previously primarily focused on technology, building a DAO was a new project. It might have been due to the principle of giving opportunities to newcomers that I joined MAPDAO a while after my initial submission.

12. Question: Did you start your career in the Web3 industry? As a successful Web3 professional, what do you think is the most significant difference for women working in this industry compared to other fields?

Answer: Yes, this is my first full-time job. I had previously been in school and had not taken any Gaps. While I had dabbled in small entrepreneurial ventures like We-media, education and training, I didn't achieve much.

As for women in the industry, I don't easily identify with gender labels. I tend to place myself on the label of young people. Since entering the field, I've found it to be very welcoming to both women and young individuals. Unlike the traditional internet industry, this field is inclusive in various aspects.

I had considered working in traditional industries before but, after comparing them, I felt that Web3 was a better fit for me. In Web3, there's something new to learn every day, and the possibilities seem endless. The remote nature of the work is another appealing aspect; it doesn't impose too many restrictions. You can work when inspiration strikes and take a break when it doesn't. It's very human-centric. Moreover, I've made many like-minded friends in this community, and that's a valuable treasure for me.

(Coucou participating in various conference work photos - V God's second left)

13. Question: Were you concerned about being labelled? As a woman entering Web3 as a newcomer, do you have any good advice to offer?

Answer: I think that in Web3, gender labels are not a major concern. The industry appears to be very welcoming, especially in comparison to traditional industries. I've come across many posts highlighting such issues, which makes me appreciate Web3 even more. If there's any label in the Web3 industry, it would be "low cognition" or "lack of awareness." These labels can be removed through continuous learning.

As a woman, the key is to weaken the gender label within yourself. Once you've done that, your mindset undergoes a significant change, impacting various aspects of life and work. Additionally, women often possess creativity and imagination, which are essential qualities for this industry. I've never experienced unfair treatment in the workplace due to my gender, so I haven't really focused on this issue. If there are any labels that affect the industry, it might be related to "low cognition" or "lack of awareness," and these can be removed through continuous learning.

Part Four: About PermaDAO and everVision

14. Question: How did you come to know about everVision?

Answer: Actually, I got to know everVision through PermaDAO. Since then, whether it's MAPDAO or the products of Map Protocol, we've established a deep and cooperative relationship with everVision.

15. Question: How do you view everVision's team and business development?

Answer: As I mentioned earlier, during the crucial moments of MAPDAO, I discovered an ideal DAO tool. So, I believe that everVision is not only a vital part of the Arweave ecosystem but also an indispensable element in our development at MAPDAO. In the future, I expect everVision to make significant contributions to more communities in terms of management and payment scenarios.

16. Question: How do you think PermaDAO and MAPDAO should cooperate in the future?

Answer: PermaDAO and MAPDAO already have a very deep cooperative relationship, so while we continue to operate as usual, we can explore new activities and projects together. For example, MAPDAO will be organizing a series of collective learning and co-creation activities. We will invite PermaDAO to join us in building, exploring, and creating together. This is a long-term endeavor.

17. Question: How do you think Arweave and Map should collaborate in the future?

Answer: Regarding collaboration between the Arweave ecosystem and Map Protocol, there are numerous opportunities in areas such as data storage, cross-chain interactions, and ecosystem development. For example, Arweave's permanent data storage can provide stable data support for DApps in the Map Protocol ecosystem, and Map Protocol can offer cross-chain technology support to Arweave. As Map Protocol fully adheres to the Nakamoto consensus, we strive for complete decentralization, which extends to data storage. We encourage developers to build innovative solutions rather than relying on third-party off-chain intermediaries. Therefore, ecosystems like Arweave are highly beneficial for us. We hope to collaborate and foster the development of the blockchain field, creating more value for users and developers. As we often say, blockchain technology should genuinely benefit users.

18. Question: Do you have any final words for everyone?

Answer: To be honest, I hesitated before this interview. I don't have a lot of successful entrepreneurial experience to share, and I'm still in the learning and exploration phase. However, I decided to participate because I felt that the process had triggered new thoughts in me. It may inspire someone someday. So, I'd like to leave you with this: "Deep roots lead to lush foliage, a solid foundation fosters branch prosperity." This industry requires faith, but even more so, it requires awareness. In a bear market, work; in a bull market, make money. Now is the perfect time for learning. It's a market landscape where you need to sit down and learn but not stop. Lastly, I hope that everyone can find their passion in Web3 and build together!

In the end, I'd like to welcome anyone interested in MAPDAO to contact me anytime.

At the end

Though we've never met, through online meetings and voice interactions, Coucou struck me as a very pure and sunny individual. Just like Map Protocol, she has her unique traits. Most of the MAPDAO team members I know are women like her, and they are primarily leading the way (oddly, PermaDAO seems to be dominated by men...). All of them are passionately engaged in what they love. So, here's a saying from Coucou's own social circle: "May you attract wealth and prosperity, and may every day be filled with happiness!"

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